Les Miserables, December 2014
Director and Set Designer (with Associate Set Designer Ryan Howell)
Below lists a sampling of Facebook comments about Different Stages production of Les Miserables
"This production of Les Mis absolutely blew me away. I was in awe of the incredible talent and fantastic production. Without question worth the 4 hour drive from Chicago (and I'll make that drive again for whatever amazing show you present next!) Bravo!!!"
"This production and cast is AMAZING. Joel and Rich keep putting out first class productions. It is well worth the time and money to see. IF you have the chance to see the final show Sunday night December 21st GO SEE IT!"
"Made the short drive to Huntington last night an saw an amazing and outstanding production of Les Mis-! Wonderful, Awesome! The Cast, the singing, the sets - completely outstanding Broadway quality"
"Amazing show last night! I didn't expect such a Broadway caliber performance from a small theater company, but Oh My Goodness did you guys deliver! I found myself drawn in and positively moved to tears on more than one occasion! Thank you for the best show I have seen all year! I am telling everyone that I know about you and I myself will be returning in the future!"
"Amazing show this evening! From the incredible voices, to the professional sets--Les Miserable is so worth seeing!"
"Joel Just a quick message to say congratulation on another wonderful production. It was all perfection. Thank you so much for a wonderful evening. If you haven't seen this yet. Do yourself a favor and get your tickets now. You will not be disappointed."
"This was my 4th time seeing Les Mis on stage. I first saw it at The Embassy in Fort Wayne, next during my one and only trip to NYC, and again in Chicago. Never, until THIS production, did I actually come to know and understand the heart of the characters ………. Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, Eponine, Marius………. In this theater there are NO bad seats - there is no where that you are not THERE on the barricade, in the hell Fantine is living, feeling the angst of Valjean’s “Bring Him Home” and Eponine’s “On My Own”. And, I must give a shout out to the Thenardier’s - they are phenomenal! If you are fortunate enough to have experienced the work of Joel Froomkin and Rich Richard Julian Najuch, expectations are high based on prior extraordinary productions. Even so, no one could have imagined the magnificence of this production. Different-Stages, YOUR ‘Les Misérables is a beautiful epic heart-stopping version of this most beloved musical in history. Congratulations and gratitude to all who helped to create this masterpiece !"
"Had a fabulous evening at The New Huntington Theatre production of Les Miserables! The sets, production, and performances were outstanding and the venue was a restored movie theater. There were several great moments with the actor's portrayals and the lighting provided some special moments. Having seen Les Miz at Clowes Hall and London, England, I was impressed with Different Stages Theater."
"Different Stages at the New Huntington Theater have done it again. Actually, they've outdone themselves with their production of Les Miserables. Our community is certainly blessed to have a professional theater company doing great work at a very high level. Thanks to Richard Julian Najuch, Joel Froomkin and everyone else involved at Different Stages. Please don't miss this show!"
"I feel so blessed that I've been able to enjoy the genius of Joel Froomkin and Rich Najuch since they've been in Huntington. With each production, I tell myself that they can't possibly top their previous performance, and once again they have managed to do it. I went to see "Les Miserables" on Friday at The New Huntington Theatre and was knocked out by the performance. The way they are able to transform the stage is an amazing feat of imagination. The acting by the Different Stages troupe is the equal of any group you will see anywhere. Joel and Rich have assembled this cast from across the country and they have found some impressive talent - again. There are seats available for the remainder of the run, so don't let the opportunity to see a world-class production slip past you. All I can say is that you shouldn't miss this show. Trust me."
"Last night I was lucky enough to see the extraordinary production of Les Miserables at The New Huntington Theatre! Just when I think there is absolutely no way they could top their previous productions, they prove me wrong and stage a performance that is breath-taking. I was mesmerized as I sat in the audience and heard voices that sounded like angels and saw staging that rivals anything I've seen anywhere and that includes Broadway! The cast, the crew and the costumes were stupendous and I certainly am running out of words to describe how I feel about every production coming out of this theatre. Let me finish with this thought, Les Miserables is comparable to a priceless Faberge egg. You have this beautiful creation and when you open it up the craftsmanship and jewels on the inside continue to astound you! Kudos to Joel and Rich, you are truly "Masters of the House!"
"I had the privilege of experiencing Les Mes yesterday. Yes Joel and Rich have done it again! A superior production. The cast was perfectly cast for their roles. Music and choreography were perfectly in sync. The most incredible thing that rich and Joel present is the seamless transition between scenes. The technical aspects of the large towering platforms moving effortlessly about the stage were incredible. Great job guys. Please if you don't have tickets please attend. Broadway in Huntington!"
The Sound of Music, July 2014 - Director and Scenic Designer
Different Stages Theater received over 85
“Five-Star” reviews for The Sound of Music -
its first show!
Here’s what patrons are saying:
“The best professional production I've seen in the Midwest. A must-see!”
“Audiences at The Sound of Music will hear the sound of laughter, the sound of dancers, the sound of pitch-perfect dialogue, and the sound of hands clapping furiously for this enormously talented cast.
I'd see this Broadway-quality production again”
“5 stars are not enough! This production deserves 10+ stars. Awesome talent - singing and acting”
“The show was worth every second of the drive, every penny of the ticket price, and so, so much more.”
“... in a word ... Fantastic!”
Directed and Designed by Joel Froomkin.
The production featured tennis-court style seating with the audience on opposite sides, immersing them in the narrative. Three projectors were used to transform the barn-like wooden surround.
Directed and Designed by Joel Froomkin.
An original production of Yasmina Reza's romantic duet created for the Bermuda International Festival. The production starred Emmy Winner Charles Shaughnessy (The Nanny) and Tony nominee Judy Kuhn (Les Miserables).
Direction by Joel Froomkin
Lighting by Grant Yeager, Scenic Design by Gordon Strain.
Starring Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Merlin) and Kelly McCreary (Greys Anatomy)
Produced by Joel Froomkin and Richard Najuch to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the writing of Shakespeare's The Tempest for the Bermuda Festival. Shakespeare's inspiration for the play was based upon accounts of the wreck of the Sea Venture and the discovery of the island. The brief was to celebrate the Bermudian connection to the play by incorporating it's flora, fauna and culture.
